Tributes for Oct. 14

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Donald R. Cooper, 82, of Greeley, passed away on Oct. 11, 2013, at his home. He was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Ault, Colo., to Roy and Mabel (Frye) Cooper.

Don attended Ault schools. In 1949, he married Alice Shepard. She died in 1968. He married Mary Ann (Heimke) Pulliam in 1969. He went to work as a mechanic after school and worked for Garnsey and Wheeler before starting his own business in Greeley as Coopers Conoco, and later as 16th Street Amoco. He was a much loved crossing guard at Christa-McAuliffe for eight years. Don was an avid fisherman and loved his Broncos and Nuggets, as well as playing cards with friends. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, John of Reno, Nev., Brett of Greeley, Greg and Scott of Ariz.; daughter, Cindy of Mo.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Alice; his parents; and two sisters, Laretta and Larene.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at Adamson’s Chapel. Contributions may be made to Mary Ann Cooper for Christa McAuliffe Memorial or the American Diabetes Association, in care of Adamson Funeral & Cremation, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO, 80634.

Ralph F. Cowles, Sr., 88, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Fairacres Manor in Greeley. He was born on Aug. 6, 1925, in Wallace, Neb., to the late Ralph E. and Carrie (Ferrell) Cowles.

At the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army and was deployed to Germany during World War II. Upon his return, he attended the University of Nebraska, where he met his wife of 65 years, June Hemphill. After completion of his degree, he and June lived in North Platte, where their first two children, Ralph and Bob, were born.

They later moved to Pueblo, Colo., then to Greeley, where their younger children, Debbie and Jim, were born. Ralph originally had plans to open a hotel in Greeley, but upon arriving, determined that a tax business would be a better fit with his business degree. He and his wife, June, started Cowles Tax Service, which their sons continue to operate today. He was a member of First United Presbyterian church, a charter member of the Beck-Heath-Eisenhower American Legion Post 213 in Wallace, with continuous post membership for more than 64 years, a mason for over 50 years, and a lifetime member of the Greeley Elks Lodge.

Ralph was a much loved husband, father and grandfather who always put the needs of his children first. He was known for his great sense of humor, his business sense, and his willingness to speak his mind. He will be greatly missed.